College and school students have celebrated diversity and thrown themselves into the local community by completing an eight mile scenic walk around Pendle for charity.
The Pendle Education Trust event saw Nelson and Colne College students joined by Colne Primet Academy and Pendle Primary Academy students at various stages of their trek as they raised money for Petal Childhood Cancer Research.
The fund-raiser was a way of helping students put into practice skills they had learnt during an engaging Citizenship Programme hosted by inter-faith community project Building Bridges Pendle.
Students were accompanied on the walk by staff members, Building Bridges’ community development officer Afzaal Mahmood and Petal representatives – all of whom congratulated the efforts of Pendle’s young people in coming together to make a difference to their community. The route was planned by NCC Public Services lecturer Richie Watts.
Nelson and Colne College Assistant Principal Paul Britton said: “This was the first event of this nature for Pendle Education Trust, and it has been great.
“We have celebrated the diversity of Pendle, seen areas we haven’t seen before and met new people, while doing something good for a local cause.”
NCC student Jack Wellings (17), from Colne, added: “It has been a really good idea to bring everybody together and it has been a great experience.”
And Pendle Education Trust chief executive Anita Ghidotti said: “The Trust’s Academies encourage all their children to engage with their local communities by participating in volunteering, project work or local clubs and societies, and I am delighted to have seen students put such effort and enthusiasm into this inspirational event.”
Petal Childhood Cancer Research raises funds specifically for research into childhood cancers for Cancer Research UK. The total raised from the Pendle Education Walk is still being finalised.
Karen Mendoros, from the charity, said: “We are absolutely overjoyed by the efforts of Pendle Education Trust – to see young people raising money and awareness for peers who are less fortunate than themselves is so heart-warming.”
For more on Pendle Education Trust visit www.pendleeducationtrust.co.uk
To find out more about Petal Childhood Cancer Research visit www.petal-cancer-research.co.uk
